NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Winnebago Journey Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Winnebago Journey has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Winnebago dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Winnebago Journey. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Winnebago Journey owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Winnebago Journey, describing incidents dated April 1, 2003 to December 16, 2009.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10327901 · Filed April 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN X TIRES, SIZE P235/80/R22.5. TWO OF THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS. THE CONTACT LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED SIX YEARS AND THE OTHER TIRE TEN YEARS BEFORE HE PURCHASED THEM. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO…
ODI #10102298 · Filed December 7, 2004
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE…
ODI #10102296 · Filed December 7, 2004
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MUFFLER…

Read all 5 complaints

REFRIGERATORS/POSSIBLE FIRE/NORCOLD

NHTSA #10V525000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2010 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 18,461 vehicles

Owners notified December 15, 2010

Defect description

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Safety consequence

THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

REFRIGERATOR FIRE/NORCOLD

NHTSA #09V300000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported July 29, 2009 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,547 vehicles

Owners notified August 31, 2009 · Vehicles built May 10, 2001 – March 26, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.

Safety consequence

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

Notes

WINNEBAGO/LP TANK

NHTSA #04V114000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 4, 2004 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 5,143 vehicles

Winnebago campaign 90 · Owners notified March 25, 2004 · Vehicles built April 28, 1999 – September 19, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE LP TANK HAS STRESS ON WELD JOINTS AT THE POINT WHERE MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE TANK.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE STRESS CRACKS AT THE WELD JOINTS AND LEAD TO AN LP LEAK AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REINSTALL A CRADLE-STYLE CARRIER, AND, IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE LP TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-6939.

Notes

WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 90.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

WINNEBAGO/CATERPILLAR/ENGINE PUMPS

NHTSA #03V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2003 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 114 vehicles

Vehicles built August 23, 2002 – January 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3126E HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRONICALLY ACTUATED UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY PUMPS (HEP8). THE PUMP COMPONENTS MAY EXPERIENCE A HIGH PRESSURE SEAL FAILURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF ROUGH RUNNING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE STALL DUE TO A LOSS OF INJECTION ACTUATION PRESSURE.

Safety consequence

ONCE ENGINE STALL OCCURS, THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PUMP SERIAL NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE PUMP IF NECESSARY. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6966.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Winnebago Journey. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Winnebago Journey.

Tires

ODI #10327901

Incident: December 16, 2009 · Filed: April 28, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN X TIRES, SIZE P235/80/R22.5. TWO OF THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS. THE CONTACT LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED SIX YEARS AND THE OTHER TIRE TEN YEARS BEFORE HE PURCHASED THEM. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE PURCHASED FROM A TIRE FACILITY THAT WAS 700 MILES FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 500 AND 700 MILES AND THEN IT WAS PARKED FOR THREE MONTHS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10102298

Fire

Incident: September 19, 2004 · Filed: December 7, 2004

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MUFFLER, ALLOWING FIRE HOT DIESEL ENGINE EXHAUST FLAMES & GASES TO ENTER THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND TORCH THE WOOD TRANFER SWITCH STRUCTURE., AS WELL AS SEND CORBON MONOXIDE INTO THE COACH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ME TO STOP MY VEHICLE ON A MAJOR US INTERSTATE, BACK UP TRAFFIC FOR MORE THEN A MILE, AND DO AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF MY WIFE AN OUR TWO YORKIES. THIS EVENT CAUSE EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF OUR COACH, CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, AND MADE THE MUFFLER UNSAFE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10102296

Fire

Incident: September 19, 2004 · Filed: December 7, 2004

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MUFFLER ALLOWING FIREY HOT DIESEL ENGINE EXHAUST FLAMES & GASES TO ENTER THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND TORCH THE WOOD TRANFER SWITCH STRUCTURE., AS WELL AS SEND CORBON MONOXIDE INTO THE COACH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ME TO STOP MY VEHICLE ON A MAJOR US INTERSTATE, BACK UP TRAFFIC FOR MORE THEN A MILE, AND DO AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF MY WIFE AN OUR TWO YORKIES. THIS EVENT CAUSE EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF OUR COACH, CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, AND MADE THE MUFFLER UNSAFE.*AK

Equipment

ODI #10072074

Incident: June 1, 2004 · Filed: June 4, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V11400O REGARDING LP TANK. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS KEPT BY THE DEALER FOR OVER THREE WEEKS. *AK IT TOOK THE DEALER 3 WEEKS TO PERFORM A 3 HOUR RECALL. THE DEALER AND WINNEBAGO WERE NOT VERY COOPERATIVE. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10044386

Incident: April 1, 2003 · Filed: October 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH PLASTIC HINGE PIN SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO DETACH. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE INSTALLED A TEMPORARY PIN, AND THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE TEMPORARY HINGE PIN WITH A PERMANENT STEEL HINGE PIN. *AK

Other Winnebago Journey model years

Check your 2003 Winnebago Journey VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Winnebago Journey at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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